9 months in, 9 months out

Guess who's 9 months old today???

Yep... it's my 3/4 birthday!!!

Let's celebrate!

¡Feliz Cumplemeses a mi!

YxelaY

Santa visited Sodenland early

... and her name is Tia Max

(Did you know Max practices phrenology in her spare time?)

Gracias to the Max, Tia Maxcita... you're the best.

¡TE QUIERO MUCHISIMO!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday was my first Thanksgiving. I'm still confused about the concept. It seems to involve lots of:

Food

Family

and Dogs...

What's not to love?

First, we hung out with my super-cool cousins Abby & Sam, where I met Aunt Gillian's branch of the family tree, including 4-month-old Jack

such a baby!

Maggie and Sophie presided with grace and dignity, never missing a table scrap.














After gorging on chocolate covered gooseberries (mmmm) Mama and I bumbled off to TiaTina's and Kit's to meet my jet-setting New York Aunties, Cat and Lisa






















































there was lots more Food

Family

and Dogs...

All most excellent fun.

Now, there's a lot to digest - and I'm not just talkin' turkey. Exactly 4 weeks ago, I came home. I have much to be thankful for:

Y my first mother, who brought me into the world.
Y my foster mother Kristi, who loved and tended me for my first five months.
Y the San Jose Pinula Hogar, which sheltered me for another three.

Most of all, I'm thankful for finally finding my forever family, where I'm showered with love, and each day brings new adventures. But I can't forget the babies still waiting: Little Isaac. California Xela. My amigitos in the Hogar... And so many more.

I love you all and am wishing you home.



xoxoxo xela

2 Doctors in 2 Weeks

and I'm not even sick!

In fact, according to both my pediatrician and the International Adoption specialist at Children's Hospital, I'm growing well, hitting all my milestones, with no signs of developmental delays or attachment problems.

So why'd they have to give me 3 shots and take 3 vials of blood?

OUCHIE!

Aww, it's just a booboo. I can take it!

Mi Familia

This weekend, I went to cousin Corey's Bar Mitzvah in Las Vegas,

where I partied with all my new relatives.

The Main Man was cousin Corey.
He's cute, smart and hilarious... a little like you know who
(must be those Chinese genes)

I totally hit it off with cousins Nikki & Ty, Corey's sister and brother:

Mama's sister, Auntie Robin, planned everything perfectly...
she and Uncle Kevin sure know how to put on a party!
Here's me and Mama with Auntie Robin at brunch in the casino:

Saturday was the service in the temple:
Mama and I pulled a magic string that opened the ark.
I thought I'd see animals and Noah and stuff,
but there was just a big fancy scroll called a Torah,
that Corey sang songs from, in a strange, funny language.
We all dressed up in fancy clothes

Saturday night was the big party,
with dancing, drinking, games, magic tricks, a chocolate fountain...
I definitely picked the right family to get adopted into!

Here I am with Papa:


Papa is Mama's, Aunt Robin's and Uncle Jon's Daddy:



This is cousin Randy from California:
I know we're going to be great friends!

Olivia is a California cousin, too...
doesn't she have fantastic glasses?

Auntie Elly and Uncle Barry give the BEST hugs!



I loved Uncle Howie & Aunt Debbie,
and their 3 gorgeous kids,
David, Stephanie and Leah:
I'm going to teach David to speak Mayan,
because he's into linguistics



Abuela and Bampy were there too,
with shiny jewelry to touch and admire,
and lots of kisses


plus Uncle Jon, Aunt Gillian, Abby & Sam -
I can't wait to see them again, and meet Sophie, at Thanksgiving!

After brunch, I hit the slots for some gambling:

...before Mama packed me away in the trunk and headed for the airport:

(kidding)

There's lots more to tell...
but I'm keeping a few things to myself.
After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

xoxoxoxela

Mirror Phase

... when the infant, though still helpless, is capable of recognizing its body as a unity and imagining a state of being able to master it, evidenced by the infant's jubilant response to its own mirror reflection.